A LITTLE BOOK 

+ + OF + 


PROVERB 












COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 















A LITTLE BOOK OF 

PROVERBS 















146 3 
.^rs'T 



<Q- Cl. A 31 2890 
NO. » 










THE FOREWORD 


O book of instruction is so universal in 



its appeal as the Book of Human 


^ Experience. Life is, indeed, the best 
teacher. Every race, therefore, develops its own 
fund of wit and wisdom which finds expression 
in literary forms. The most interesting and in¬ 
structive of all these forms are the homely 
maxims, the aphorisms and proverbs that ex¬ 
press the spiritual and ethical experiences of 
the race. These range from the Uncle Remus 
epigrams which typify the negro race to “Poor 
Richard's” sayings, or the shrewd observations 
of the typical Yankee. 

No race, however, has preserved so large a 
collection of its ethical Proverbs as the Chil¬ 
dren of Israel. The Biblical Book of Proverbs 
is frankly a text book “to give subtlety to the 
simple, to the young man knowledge and dis¬ 
cretion.” Many of these proverbs are undoubt¬ 
edly the wise observations of Solomon, son of 
David, King of Israel, and evidence seems to 
indicate that a Commission was appointed by 
King Hezekiah “to transfer” the Proverbs of 
Solomon. The collection of Proverbs which we 
now have may have been the official edition of 
those which this Commission was able to collect 
or rescue from oral tradition. 









The form of these proverbs is characteristic 
of the older Hebrew literature, depending gen¬ 
erally on the couplet, or group of couplets, 
although they sometimes rise to the height of 
the sonnet form. The chief characteristic of 
the proverb is, of course, its parallelism or anti¬ 
thesis, in which the second member applies or 
balances the first— 

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, 
But a just weight is his delight. 

Another characteristic is the use of comparison 
to secure emphasis— 

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, 

Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 

These Proverbs give a picture of the social 
life, manners, vices, business conduct and char¬ 
acteristics of the Hebrew society from which 
they sprang. The very fact that they record 
the observations of wise men on the life of that 
day makes them full of meaning for the men of 
to-day. With this rich material available for 
more than 2000 years, it seems strange indeed 
that this should be the first collection of these 
wise sayings arranged in literary form for gift 
purposes. It is hoped that in this modern form 
they may have a new message for many readers. 

E. O. G. 











Hell and destruction are never full; 

So the eyes of man are never satisfied. 


Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar 
among wheat with a pestle, 

Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 

+ 

Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake 
not; 

Neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of 
thy calamity; 

For better is a neighbor that is near than a 
brother far off. 

+ 

If thine enemy be hungry give him bread to eat, 

And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; 

For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, 

And the Lord shall reward thee. 








A continual dropping on a very rainy day 
And a contentious woman are alike. 

+ 

As in water face answereth to face, 

So the heart of man to man. 

+ 

As a bird that wandereth from her nest, 

So is a man that wandereth from his place. 

+ 

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; 

So doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by 
hearty counsel. 

+ 

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, 

So is good news from a far country. 

+ 

It is not good to eat much honey. 

So for men to search their own glory is not glory. 

+ 

He that hath no rule over his own spirit 
Is like a ctiy that is broken down and without 
walls. 

+ 

As snow in summer and as rain in harvest, 

So honor is not seemly for a fool. 

+ 

Answer not a fool according to his folly, 

Lest thou also be like unto him. 










Happy is the man that findeth wisdom 
And the man that getteth understanding. 
For the merchandise of it is better 
Than the merchandise of silver, 

And the gain thereof than fine gold. 

She is more precious than rubies, 

And all the things thou canst desire 
Are not to be compared unto her. 

Length of days is in her right hand, 

And in her left hand riches and honor. 
Her ways are ways of pleasantness 
And all her paths are peace. 

She is a tree of life 

To them that lay hold upon her; 

And happy is every one that retaineth her. 
+ 

Keep sound wisdom and discretion; 

So shall they be life unto thy soul. 

And grace to thy neck. 

Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, 
And thy foot shall not stumble. 

+ 

Strive not with a man without cause, 

If he have done thee no harm. 

+ 

Envy thou not the oppressor, 

And choose none of his ways. 

+ 

Devise not evil against thy neighbor, 
Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 











Withhold not good from them 
To whom it is due, 

When it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 
Say not unto thy neighbor, 

“Go, and come again, 

And to-morrow I will give”; 

When thou hast it by thee. 

+ 

I was my father’s son, 

Tender and beloved 
In the sight of my mother. 

He taught me also, and said unto me, 

“Let thine heart retain my words; 

Keep my commandments and live. 

Get wisdom, get understanding, 

Forget it not; 

Neither decline from the words of my mouth. 
Forsake her not, and she shail preserve thee, 
Love her, and she shall keep thee. 

Wisdom is the principal thing, 

Therefore get wisdom; 

And with all thy getting get understanding.” 

+ 

Take fast hold of instruction, 

Let her not go; 

Keep her, for she is thy life. 

+ 

The ways of man 
Are before the eyes of the Lord, 

And he pondereth all his goings. 






Enter not into the path of the wicked, 

And go not in the way of evil men. 

Avoid it, pass not by it, 

Turn from it and pass away. 

+ 

The path of the just 
Is as the shining light, 

That shineth more and more 
Unto the perfect day. 

The way of the wicked is as darkness; 
They know not at what they stumble. 

+ 

Keep thy heart with all diligence; 

For out of it are the issues of life. 

Put away from thee a froward mouth, 

And perverse lips put far from thee. 

Let thine eyes look right on, 

And thine eyelids look straight before thee. 
Ponder the path of thy feet, 

And let all thy ways be established. 

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left. 
Remove thy foot from evil. 

+ 

Go to the ant, thou sluggard, 

Consider her ways, and be wise; 

Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 
Provideth her meat in the summer, 

And gathereth her food in the harvest. 






His own iniquities 

Shall take the wicked himself, 

And he shall be holden 
With the cords of his sins. 

He shall die without instruction; 

And in the greatness of his folly 
He shall go astray. 

+ 

How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? 

When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 

“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, 

A little folding of the hands to sleep 
So shall thy poverty come 
As one that travelleth, 

And thy want as an armed man. 

+ 

A naughty person, a wicked man, 

Walketh with a froward mouth. 

He winketh with his eyes, 

He speaketh with his feet, 

He teacheth with his fingers; 

Frowardness is in his heart, 

He deviseth mischief continually; 

He soweth discord. 

Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; 
Suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 

+ 

Can a man take fire in his bosom, 

And his clothes not be burned? 

Can one go upon hot coals, 

And his feet not be burned? 






These six things doth the Lord hate, 

Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 

A proud look, 

A lying tongue, 

And hands that shed innocent blood, 

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, 

Feet that be swift in running to mischief, 

A false witness that speaketh lies, 

And he that soweth discord among brethren. 

+ 

My son, keep thy father's commandment, 

And forsake not the law of thy mother; 

Bind them continually upon thine heart, 

And tie them about thy neck. 

When thou goest, it shall lead thee; 

When thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; 

And when thou awakest it shall talk with thee. 

+ 

Receive my instruction, and not silver, 

And knowledge rather than choice gold. 

For wisdom is better than rubies, 

And all the things that may be desired 
Are not to be compared to it. 

+ 


Wisdom saith:— 

“I love them that love me; 
And those that seek me early 
Shall find me. 












Riches and honor are with me; 

Yea, durable riches and righteousness. 

My fruit is better than gold, 

Yea, than fine gold; 

And my revenue than choice silver. 

For whoso findeth me findeth life, 

And shall obtain favor of the Lord. 

But he that sinneth against me 
Wrongeth his own soul.” 

+ 

Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee. 

Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 

Give instruction to a wise man, 

And he will be yet wiser. 

Hr 

The fear of the Lord 

Is the beginning of wisdom; 

And the knowledge of the Holy 
Is understanding. 

+ 

A wise son maketh a glad father; 

But a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. 

+ 

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; 

But righteousness delivereth from death. 

+ 

He that gathereth in summer is a wise son; 

But he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that caus 
eth shame. 










As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, 
So is the sluggard to them that send him. 

+ 

The fear of the Lord prolongeth days; 

But the years of the wicked shall be shortened. 

+ 

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness; 

But the expectation of the wicked shall perish. 

+ 

A false balance is abomination to the Lord, 

But a just weight is his delight. 

+ 

When pride cometh, then cometh shame; 

But with the lowly is wisdom. 

+ 

Riches profit not in the day of wrath; 

But righteousness delivereth from death. 

+ 

He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbor; 
But a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 

+ 

A talebearer revealeth secrets; 

But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the 
matter. 

+ 

The wicked worketh a deceitful work; 

But to him that soweth righteousness shall be a 
sure reward. 










He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it; 
And he that hateth suretiship is sure. 

+ 

A gracious woman retaineth honor; 

And strong men retain riches. 

+ 

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; 
But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. 

+ 

As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, 

So is a fair woman without discretion. 

+ 

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; 

And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, 
But it tendeth to poverty. 

+ 

The liberal soul shall be made fat; 

And he that watereth shall be watered also 
himself. 

+ 

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; 

But the righteous shall flourish as a branch. 

+ 

He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the 
wind; 

And the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart. 

+ 

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; 

And he that winneth souls is wise. 






Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in 
the earth; 

Much more the wicked and the sinner. 

+ 

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; 
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 

+ 

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with 
bread; 

But he that followeth vain persons is void of 
understanding. 

+ 

A fool’s wrath is presently known; 

But a prudent man covereth shame. 

+ 

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a 
sword; 

But the tongue of the wise is health. 

+ 

The lip of truth shall be established forever; 

But a lying tongue is but for a moment. 

+ 

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; 

But they that deal truly are his delight. 

+ 

The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; 

But the slothful shall be under tribute. 

+ 

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop ; 
But a good word maketh it glad. 


The slothful man roasteth not that which he took 
in hunting; 

But the substance of a diligent man is precious. 

+ 

In the way of righteousness is life; 

And in the pathway thereof there is no death. 

+ 

A wise son heareth his father’s instruction; 

But a scorner heareth not rebuke. 

+ 

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath 
nothing; 

But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 

+ 

There is that maketh himself rich, 

Yet hath nothing; 

There is that maketh himself poor, 

Yet hath great riches. 

+ 

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished; 
But he that gathereth by labor shall increase. 

+ 

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; 

But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. 

* 

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his child¬ 
ren’s children; 

And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the 
just. 


Good understanding giveth favor; 

But the way of transgressors is hard. 

+ 

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; 
But in companionship of fools shall be destruction. 

+ 

Every wise woman buildeth her house; 

But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. 

+ 

The heart knoweth his own bitterness; 

And a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 

+ 

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; 

And the end of that mirth is heaviness. 

+ 

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his 
own ways. 

And a good man shall be satisfied from himself. 

+ 

The simple believeth every word, 

But the prudent man looketh well to his going. 

+ 

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; 
But the fool rageth, and is confident. 

+ 

He that is slow to wrath is of great under¬ 
standing ; 

But he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. 







// D 














A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance; 
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 

+ 

Better is little with the fear of the Lord, 

Than great treasure and trouble therewith. 

+ 

Better is a dinner of herbs where love is. 

Than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. 

+ 

The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of 
thorns; 

But the way of the righteous is made plain. 

* 

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; 
And to the wise a word spoken in due season, 
how good is it! 

+ 

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination 
to the Lord; 

But the words of the pure are pleasant words. 

+ 

He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own 
house; 

But he that hateth gifts shall live. 

+ 

He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own 
soul; 

But he that heareth reproof getteth understand¬ 
ing. 







All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; 
But the Lord weigheth the spirits. 

+ 

Commit thy works unto the Lord, 

And thy thoughts shall be established. 

+ 

Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination 
to the Lord; 

Though hand join in hand, he shall not be un¬ 
punished. 

+ 

When a man’s ways please the Lord, 

He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with 
him. 

+ 

Better is a little with righteousness 
Than great revenues without right. 

A man’s heart deviseth his way, 

But the Lord directeth his steps. 

+ 

1 low much better is it to get wisdom than gold! 
And to get understanding rather to be chosen 
than silver. 

+ 

Pride goeth before destruction, 

And an haughty spirit before a fall. 

+ 

He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good; 
And whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he. 



Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the 
lowly, 

Than to divide the spoil with the proud. 

+ 

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, 

And addeth learning to his lips. 

+ 

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, 

Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 

4 - 

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, 
But the end thereof are the ways of death. 

4 * 

A froward man soweth strife, 

And a whisperer separateth chief friends. 

* 

The hoary head is a crown of glory, 

If it be found in the way of righteousness. 

+ 

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; 
And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh 
a city. 

4 * 

Better is a dry morsel and quietness therewith, 
Than a house full of sacrifices with strife. 

+ 

The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for 
gold; , 

But the Ix>rd trieth the hearts. 


V 







Children’s children are the crown of old men; 
And the glory of the children are their fathers. 

+ 

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; 
But he that repeateth a matter separateth very 
friends. 

+ 

A reproof entereth more into a wise man 
Than an hundred stripes into a fool. 

+ 

Whoso rewardeth evil for good. 

Evil shall not depart from his house. 

+ 

He that justifieth the wicked, 

And he that condemneth the just. 

Even they both are abomination to the Lord. 

+ 

A friend loveth at all times. 

And a brother is born for adversity. 

+ 

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; 

But a broken spirit drieth the bones. 

+ 

A foolish son is grief to his father, 

And bitterness to her that bare him. 

+ 

He that hath knowledge spareth his words; 

And a man of understanding is of an excellent 
spirit. 












Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted 
wise; 

And he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of 
understanding. 

+ 

He also that is slothful in his work 
Is brother to him that is a great waster. 

+ 

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; 

The righteous runneth into it and is safe. 

* 

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, 

And as a high wall in his own conceit. 

+ 

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, 
It is folly and shame unto him. 

+ 

A man’s gift maketh room for him, 

And bringeth him before great men. 

+ 

A brother offended is harder to be won than a 
strong city; 

And their contentions are like the bars of a castle. 

+ 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue; 
And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 

+ 

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, 

And obtaineth favor of the Lord. 


A man that hath friends must show himself 
friendly; 

And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a 
brother. 

+ 

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul; 

He that keepeth understanding shall find good. 

+ 

A false witness shall not be unpunished, 

And he that speaketh lies shall perish. 

+ 

House and riches are the inheritance of fathers, 
And a prudent wife is from the Lord. 

* 

Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; 

And an idle soul shall suffer hunger’ 

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the 
Lord; 

And that which he hath given will he pay him 
again. 

+ 

A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, 

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth 
again. 

+ * 

The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; 
Therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have 
nothing. 


Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; 

And whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. 

+ 

It is an honor for a man to cease from strife; 
But every fool will be meddling. 

Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; 
But a man of understanding will draw it out. 

* 

Most men will proclaim every one his own good¬ 
ness ; 

But a faithful man who can find ? 

+ 

The just man walketh in his integrity ; 

His children are blessed after him. 

* 

Divers weights and divers measures. 

Both of them are alike abomination to the Lord. 

* 

Even a child is known by his doings. 

Whether his work be pure, and whether it be 
right. 

* 

The hearing ear and the seeing eye, 

The Lord hath made even both of them. 

Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; 

Open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with 
bread. 










"It is naught, it is naught,” saith the buyer; 
But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. 

+ 

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth 
secrets; 

Therefore meddle not with him that flattereth 
with his lips. 

+ 

The glory of young men is their strength; 

And the beauty of old men is the gray head. 

+ 

Every way of men is right in his own eyes; 

But the Lord pondereth the hearts. 

To do justice and judgment 

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 

+ 

An high look, and a proud heart, 

And the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 

+ 

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plente¬ 
ousness ; 

But of every one that is hasty, only to want. 

+ 

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop. 
Than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 

+ 

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, 
He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 







He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; 

He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. 

+ 

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy 
Findeth life, righteousness and honor. 

+ 

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue 
Keepeth his soul from troubles. 

The horse is prepared against the day of battle; 
But safety is of the Lord. 

+ 

A good name is rather to be chosen than great 
riches, 

And loving favor rather than silver and gold. 

+ 

The rich and the poor meet together; 

The Lord is the maker of them all. 

+ 

A prudent man forseeth the evil and hideth 
himself; 

But the simple pass on and are punished. 

* 

By humility and the fear of the Lord 
Are riches and honor and life. 

+ 

I rain up a child in the way he should go; 

And when he is old, he will not depart from it. 



Rob not the poor because he is poor, 
Neither oppress the afflicted in the gate; 

For the Lord will plead their cause, 

And spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 


Make no friendship with an angry man; 

And with a furious man thou shalt not go, 

Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy 


soul. 


The slothful man saith, ‘There is a lion without! 
I shall be slain in the streets/’ 


+ 


He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, 
And he that giveth to the rich shall surely come 
to want. 


He that loveth pureness of heart for the grace of 
his lips, 

The king shall be his friend. 


Seest thou a man diligent in his business? 
He shall stand before kings; 

He shall not stand before mean men. 


Labor not to be rich; 

Cease from thine own wisdom. 

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? 
For riches certainly make themselves wings; 
They fly away as an eagle toward heaven. 








Speak not in the ears of a fool, 

For lie will despise the wisdom of thy words. 

+ 

Remove not the old landmark, 

And enter not into the fields of the fatherless, 
For their redeemer is mighty; 

He shall plead their cause with thee. 

+ 

Hear thou, my son, and be wise and guide thine 
heart in the way. 

Be not among winebibbers. 

Among riotous eaters of flesh; 
bor the drunkard and the glutton shall come to 
poverty, 

And drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 

+ 

Buy the truth and sell it not; 

Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. 

+ 

Who hath woe? 

Who hath sorrow? 

Who hath contentions? 

Who hath babbling? 

Who hath wounds without cause? 

Who hath redness of eyes?— 

They that tarry long at the wine; 

They that go to seek mixed wine. 

Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, 
When it giveth its color in the cup, 

When it moveth itself aright. 

At the last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth 
like an adder. 








Be not thou envious against evil men, 

Neither desire to be with them. 

For their heart studieth destruction, 

And their lips talk of mischief. 

+ 

Through wisdom is an house builded. 

And by understanding it is established; 

And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled 
with all precious and pleasant riches. 

* 

A wise man is strong; 

Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; 
And in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

+ 

If thou faint in the day of adversity, 

Thy strength is small. 

If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn 
into death and those that are ready to be 
slain, 

If thou sayest, “Behold, we knew it not/’ 

Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? 
And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? 
And shall not he render to every man according 
to his works? 


+ 

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth. 

And let not thine heart be glad when he stum 








Fret not thyself because of evil men, 

Neither be thou envious at the wicked ; 

For there shall be no reward to the evil man. 
The candle of the wicked shall be put out. 

+ 

Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thy¬ 
self in the field; 

And afterwards build thine house. 

+ 

Be not a witness against thy neighbor without 
cause, 

And deceive not with thy lips. 

+ 

Say not, ‘T will do so to him as he hath done to 
me; 

I will render to the man according to his work/' 

+ 

I went by the field of the slothful, 

And by the vineyard of the man void of under¬ 
standing ; 

And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, 

And nettles had covered the face thereof, 

And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 
Then I saw, and considered it well; 

I looked upon it and received instruction. 

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, 

A little folding of the hands to sleep, 

So shall thy poverty come 
As one that travel leth ; 

And thy want as an armed man. 







The heaven for height, 

And the earth for depth. 

And the heart of kings is unsearchable. 

+ 

A word fitly spoken 

Is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. 

+ 

As an earring of gold and as an ornament of fine 
gold, 

So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 

+ 

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, 

So is a faithful messenger to them that send him, 
For he refresheth the soul of his masters. 

+ 

Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift 
Is like clouds and wind without rain. 

Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbor's house, 
Lest he be weary of thee and so hate thee. 

+ 

A man that beareth false witness against his 
neighbor 

Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 

+ 

As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, 
And as vinegar upon nitre, 

So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. 


Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble 
Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 

+ 

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; 

Bind them about thy neck, 

Write them upon the table of thine heart. 

So shalt thou find favor 
And good understanding 
In the sight of God and man. 

+ 

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, 

And lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him. 

And he shall direct thy paths. 

+ 

Be not wise in thine own eyes. 

Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 

+ 

Honor the Lord with thy substance, 

And with the firstfruits of all thine increase; 
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, 

And thy presses shall burst out 
With new wine. 

+ 

My son, despise not the chastening 
Of the Lord, 

Neither be weary of his correction; 

For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth, 

Even as a father the son 
In whom he delighteth. 












Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit ? 

There is more hope of a fool than of him. 

+ 

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit 
Than seven men that can render a reason. 

+ 

As coals are to burning coals and wood to fire, 
So is a contentious man to kindle strife. 

+ 

Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein ; 

And he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon 
him. 

+ 

Boast not thyself of to-morrow, 

For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own 
mouth; 

A stranger, and not thine own lips. 

+ 

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; 

But who is able to stand before envy ? 

+ 

Open rebuke is better than secret love. 

+ 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowl¬ 
edge; 

But fools despise wdsdom and instruction. 








My son, hear the instruction of thy father, 

And forsake not the law of thy mother; 

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy 
head, 

And chains about thy neck. 

+ 

My son, if sinners entice thee, 

Consent thou not. 

+ 

When wisdom entereth into thine heart 
And knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul. 
Discretion shall preserve thee, 

Understanding shall keep thee, 

To deliver thee from the way of the evil man. 

+ 

My son, forget not my law, 

But let thine heart keep my commandments; 

For length of days and long life 
And peace shall they add to thee. 

+ 

The wicked flee when no man pursueth; 

But the righteous are bold as a lion. 

+ 

Evil men understand not judgment; 

But they that seek the Lord understand all 
things. 

+ 

Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness 
Than he that is perverse in his ways, 

Though he be rich. 





Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an 
evil way, 

He shall fall himself into his own pit; 

But the upright shall have good things in posses¬ 
sion. 

+ 

The rich man is wise in his own conceit; 

But the poor that hath understanding searcheth 
him out. 

+ 

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; 

But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall 
have mercy. 

+ 

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread ; 

But he that followeth after vain persons shall 
have poverty enough. 

+ 

To have respect of persons is not good; 

For a piece of bread that man will transgress. 

+ 

He that rebuketh a man 

Afterwards shall find more favor than he that 
flattereth with the tongue. 

+ 

A fool uttereth all his mind; 

But a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. 

+ 

A man that flattereth his neighbor spreadeth a 
net for his feet. 





Whoso robbeth his father or his mother 
And saith, “It is no transgression/' 

The same is the companion of a destroyer. 

+ 

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; 

But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a 
curse. 

+ 

When the righteous are in authority, the people 
rejoice; 

But when the wicked beareth rule, the people 
mourn. 

+ 

The rod and reproof give wisdom; 

But a child left to himself bringeth his mother to 
shame. 

+ 

Where there is no vision, the people perish; 

But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 

+ 

Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words ? 
There is more hope of a fool than of him. 

+ 

Remove far from me vanity and lies; 

Give me neither poverty nor riches. 

Feed me with food convenient for me, 

Lest I be full, and deny thee, 

And say, Who is the Lord ? 

Or lest I be poor, and steal, 

And take the name of my God in vain. 












Every word of God is pure; 

He is a shield unto them 
That put their trust in him 

+ 

There be three things 

Which are too wonderful for me, 

Yea, four which I know not: 

The way of an eagle in the air; 

The way of a serpent upon a rock; 

The way of a ship in the midst of a sea; 
And the way of a man with a maid. 

+ 

There be four things 

Which are little upon the earth, 

But they are exceeding wise: 

The ants are a people not strong, 

Yet they prepare their meat in the summer 
The conies are but a feeble folk, 

Yet make they their houses in the rocks; 
The locusts have no king. 

Yet go they forth all of them by bands; 
The spider taketh hold with her hands, 

And is in kings’ palaces. 

+ 

Who can find a virtuous woman? 

For her price is far above rubies. 

The heart of her husband 
Doth safely trust in her, 

So that he shall have no need of spoil. 










All the clays of her life. 

She seeketh wool and flax, 

And worketh willingly with her hands. 

She is like the merchants’ ships; 

She bringeth her food from afar. 

She riseth also while it is yet night, 

And giveth meat to her household, 

And a portion to her maidens. 

She considereth a field, and buyeth it; 

With the fruit of her hands 
She planteth a vineyard. 

She girdeth her loins with strength, 

And strengthened her arms. 

She perceived that her merchandise is good. 
Her candle goeth not out by night. 

She layeth her hands to the spindle, 

And her hands hold the distaff. 

She stretched out her hand to the poor; 

Yea, she reached forth her hands to the needy. 
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, 
For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; 

Her clothing is silk and purple. 

Her husband is known in the gates 

When he sitteth among the elders of the land. 

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, 

And delivered girdles unto the merchant. 
Strength and honor are her clothing; 

And she shall rejoice in time to come. 

She opened her mouth with wisdom. 

And in her tongue is the law of kindness. 


She looketh well to the ways of her household. 
And eateth not the bread of idleness. 

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; 

Her husband also, and he praiseth her. 

Many daughters have done virtuously, 

But thou excellest them all. 

+ 

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, 

But a woman that feareth the Lord, 

She shall be praised. 

Give her of the fruit of her hands, 

And let her own works praise her in the gates. 









MAY 20 1912 
































































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